Facebook on Thursday unveiledPaper, its own Flipboard-like news-and-social application that will launch on iPhone on February 3rd – an iPad-optimized version of the app has not been confirmed, and Android Paper plans are yet to become official. Just as previously rumored, Paper will include a variety of news sources, allowing users to customize their reading experience based on their specific preferences, but it will also compete directly against Facebook’s own mobile app. More →

Facebook will reportedly launch a Flipboard-like news reading feature later this month either as a standalone application for mobile devices or as a “web experience” optimized for mobile devices, people familiar with the matter have told Re/code. Apparently known as “Paper,” and part of a bigger “Project Reader,” the news reader app would offer users quick access to various publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and others, as well as status updates from friends, “all in a visually stunning ‘paper-like’ format.” More →

In late 2009, a tablet concept in development at Microsoft set tech blogs aflutter. The device was code-named “Courier,” and it consisted of two connected touchscreens that folded open like a book. The slate was seen as a fantastic product that could serve as a digital notebook on top of a standard media tablet, but Microsoft would later confirm that work on the Courier was being discontinued. A new iPad app was made available this week that resurrects the spirit of the Courier however, and it’s easy to see why: the team behind Paper by FiftyThree includes several people who once worked on the Courier project at Microsoft. Billed as the “place where ideas begin,” Paper by FiftyThree is a stunning sketchbook with a built-from-scratch user interface that makes recording ideas, notes, sketches and diagrams an experience rather than a chore. A video showcasing Paper by FiftyThree follows below, and the app is available immediately in Apple’s App Store for free. More →

Did the UK-based paper Guardian just tip Apple’s rumored iOS subscription service? In a post today, the Guardian acknowledged some of the frustrations users of its iOS application are having. After issuing its mea culpa, the publication went on to note that it will be releasing a new and improved application, one that will right some of the previous apps wrongs and, among other things, be subscription based.

“We’ve already announced that the new app will have a new price point: £2.99 for six months and £3.99 for 12 months,” reads the post. “We’ll be launching the new app globally for the first time and although we can’t confirm exactly when it will be available, we’re working towards a pre-Christmas release.”

While the report does not explicitly state how the company will be billing for its services, the timing of the announcement is interesting. Speculation amongst technology insiders has Apple releasing an iOS update, version 4.3, around December 9th. The update’s payload will, purportedly, bring content subscriptions to the iOS platform.

Apple is also rumored to be working with media giant News Corp. on a daily, iPad-only, subscription-based publication titled The Daily.

The San Jose Mercury News is reporting that Apple is planning “a new subscription plan for newspapers” for their iDevices that will be launched “soon.” The paper does not cite specific sources, but claims the service will have a similar pay structure to the one used in Apple’s App Store, with content providers will keep 60% to 70% of generated revenues. “The Cupertino company has agreed to provide an opt-in function for subscribers to allow Apple to share with publishers their information, which includes vital data that news organizations use to attract advertisers,” writes the Mercury News. We’re interested to know, would you purchase a newspaper subscription on an iPad or Android tablet? More →